ENGLAND and Leicester Tigers hooker Richard Cockerill will take over as acting director of coaching at Rugby Lions following Paul Turner's departure to Premiership club Gloucester.

Cockerill has been working at Lions as forwards coach since the end of last season.

"I am very pleased with Richard's input so far and we have asked him to take over in the interim," said Lions' chief executive Mal Malik.

"I am obviously disappointed at losing a coach like Paul at this stage of the season.

"Over the last two years we have worked closely together in rebuilding the Lions and the club is much stronger for Paul's input than when he first arrived.

"We have always supported him, and I would like to put on record our appreciation for all the hard work and commitment Paul has put in at Rugby and wish him and his family the very best for the future.

"Rugby Lions are a very ambitious club, and it is our intention that we have the very best coaching team and playing structure in place for us to realise those ambitions."